Tyrann Mathieu probable to make Arizona Cardinals season debut on Sunday
The Arizona Cardinals lost a lot on defense already this season with suspensions, injuries and possible retirements, but the team is anticipating a significant return in the secondary with Tyrann Mathieu expected to make his season debut against the New York Giants on Sunday.
More from Arizona Cardinals
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- Steelers almost had a full-blown family reunion in Pittsburgh
- NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
- NFL Rumors: Is a Kyler Murray trade on the horizon for the Cardinals?
- NFL rumors: The latest on DeAndre Hopkins’ free agency entering the weekend
Mathieu tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee in the Dec. 8 game against the St. Louis Rams with about nine minutes left in the third quarter on a free kick return after the Cardinals recorded a safety and was a game-time decision for the regular season opener in Week 1 against the San Diego Chargers.
The Cardinals third round pick of a year ago was one of the top rookie’s in the NFL last season before the injury and the defense will need him to pick up where he left off prior to the knee injury with the suspension to Darryl Washington, season-ending injury to Darnell Dockett and John Abraham leaving the team and contemplating retirement.
Mathieu was a full participant in practice on Thursday when head coach Bruce Arians said via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN NFL Nation that he was “very, very close to returning.”
If he can return to full health this season, he will give the Cardinals an infusion in the defensive backfield, which could be tested often this year considering the questions the Cardinals now have in the front seven.
Mathieu started 11 of the 13 games he appeared in last year with 65 solo tackles, two interceptions, nine pass deflections and one forced fumble.